The Unnamed Faithful

November 2, 2025
Today is All Saints Sunday in the United Methodist Church - the first Sunday in November. We pause to reflect on our history, remember the people who have influenced our faith and consider how we might strive to become a saint ourselves.
In a new series on "Half Truths" based on Rev. Adam Hamilton's book "Half-Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn't Say," we'll reflect on the nature of Scripture and then consider some of the "myths" that people attribute to the Bible.
We often think of Paul alone, but he worked in concert with many others. While each of us can do good on our own, when we come together, God multiplies what we give. Together, we can do more good than we ever could alone. And God has not left us on our own, struggling to find Him without direction. Rather, He has come among us and, sends us forth to do His work in the world.
Jeremiah and the prophets show that, in the naming of our struggles, we are able to move forward toward change. One word for this is "lament." And God, our strength and hope, has not left us on our own, struggling without direction. Rather, He has come among us and, in the Scriptures of the synagogue and the church, has us the reliable record of His presence.
When Nehemiah shared the vision God placed on his heart - to rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem - the people responded not with hesitation, but with unity and action. Today, we are also called to build - our church, our community, and the work of God's kingdom. We seek the courage to act, the wisdom to lead, and the faith to trust that God's hand is upon us.